Local philanthropist and businessman Brian Pardo seemed to recoil at the very idea of publicity being given his donation of a half-million dollars to renovate old Grant Hall on the historic Paul Quinn College campus in East Waco, so allow us the honors: Pardo’s considerable gift demonstrated not only his belief in putting his money where his mouth is but a humility rare even among philanthropists.

When Pardo, CEO of Life Partners Inc., was ironing out details regarding his gift of $500,000 to the Rapoport Academy Public School to complete renovation of Grant Hall as a creative arts facility, some friends suggested he use the accompanying right to rename the hall to christen it for himself, as is custom with many philanthropists. Rapoport officials tell us Pardo resolutely dismissed the idea, then seized upon the notion of honoring his longtime pal, local attorney Vance Dunnam.

Brian Pardo (left) and Vance Dunnam attend Monday’s ceremony at Grant Hall in East Waco.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

“I didn’t feel that was right to do,” Pardo told us about renaming Grant Hall after himself. “I just wouldn’t do that. It’d be a great honor but not if you put your name on there yourself.”

But why Vance Dunnam, part of a family law firm rooted in Waco since 1925, each of them a Baylor Law School graduate?

“I met Vance in a social setting many years ago and saw that we were alike in a lot of different ways except I’m a Republican and he’s a Democrat, and we do have to give each other a little forbearance every once in a while,” Pardo said. “We’re on different sides of the fence politically, but that shouldn’t keep people from being friends.”

Dunnam knew nothing of Pardo’s surprise announcement about the naming till Monday’s check presentation ceremony. In fact, he had tried to beg off to go to a legal conference in San Antonio instead, but Pardo pleaded with him to drop by the ceremony.

That’s the tale behind the renaming of Grant Hall for Dunnam. More relevant is renovation of the 16,000-square-foot building — due for completion by the end of September — and its use by the Rapoport Academy. It will offer an art studio, gallery, dance studio, music hall, even culinary arts facilities. It represents the fourth building on the old Quinn Campus to be redone for the academy, itself recently rated exemplary. It’s also another step toward the exciting revitalization of East Waco.

Pardo tells us he was moved to help the academy because of its strong emphasis on learning.

Incidentally, Grant Hall was originally named for Bishop Abraham Grant, a former slave and a significant figure in African Methodist Episcopal history. We suspect, his being a humble man of God, Grant would approve mightily of the building’s new purpose and would not be bothered a whit by the name change.